You are referring to leaving my home for a social engagement?
In this economy?
At this time of year?
100% depends on who’s performing. I’ve driven 500 miles for a festival, but probably wouldn’t for a single artist/one night show.
Approximately 135 minutes by train, 45 minutes by tram or rapid bus, 35 minutes by urban bus or 30 minutes by bike. Exceptions to the rule exist.
The concert? I dunno it’s pretty close. But the company to go to the show with, that I’ll fly across the country for.
When I was living in California, I had a friend text me he had an extra ticket to a Bad Religion concert in Chicago. So I booked a flight and went to see the show with him. Flight was a few hundred bucks, the “free” ticket was worth like $35.
Honestly, it was totally worth it. One of the best concerts I’ve been to, probably because of who I got to see it with.
If I have to rent a car, it’s too far.
If I have to take an intercity bus, it’s too far.
An intercity train ride over three hours is also too far.
I’m two hours from three major cities. For any major concert I must drive 2 hours. No more, no less
20 miles
If I can’t walk there, I don’t go.
Given how expensive they’re getting, the fees, the ever painfully louder volume, any travel is too much.
However, when concerts weren’t as anti-fan ….
- longest trip: from Boston to Florida for a weekend
- second longest: from Boston to Buffalo
- most: 1-3 hr
I travel from Portland, Oregon to Denver, Colorado and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania every year for the Decibel Metal and Beer Festivals. Not sure how far that is, but its definitely multiple hours in a plane.
Looking at flying out to France for Hellfest next year as well. That’s pretty far from home as well.
Depends heavily on the band
It depends entirely on the band, my budget, and time. One that tours regularly, that I’ve seen before and can see again, probably only an hour, hour-and-half. One that’s not from this country, or I’ve never seen and they’re likely not going to tour anymore, or it’s a really unique show? I’m more willing to travel far, potentially even another country or continent if I can afford it. The farther I go the more I want to make a big trip of it: at least a weekend if not even a week or more if I were going to Europe or something. The closest I’ve come to that, though, was making a long weekend to Washington, D.C. during the cherry blossom festival to see Muse. That was about a 4 hour drive away.
At a certain distance, the concert is less the event and more a reason to plan a vacation around going to the concert.
I’ll do 3 hours to Chicago if it’s someone really good, but going to shows isn’t really my bag anymore and crowds really get my hackles up so generally I just stay home
For me it rather depends on how much the whole trip is going to cost me.
